President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met with acting Commander of the Naval Forces of Ukraine, Lt.-Gen. Ihor Voronchenko.

"After consultations with the NSDC secretary, the minister of defense, and chief of the General Staff, I have made a decision to approve your candidacy. We give you some time to show your best qualities," the president said.

Poroshenko recalled the events of 2014, when General Ihor Voronchenko demonstrated courage and loyalty to military oath during the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russian aggressors. He was doing everything possible to save military equipment and withdraw his personnel to the mainland.

The president emphasized that the Naval Forces of Ukraine remained a priority for him as supreme commander-in-chief. He also highlighted the need for paying special attention to sailors who remained loyal to military oath and left Crimea.

The head of state noted the importance of restoring Odesa's status of the "sea capital of Ukraine" and setting up the headquarters of the Naval Forces in this city as soon as possible.

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